The Chicago City Council voted 43-2 today to decriminalize marijuana, reports Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. The group released this statement in anticipation of today's vote:
“I expect the City Council to show great leadership by decriminalizing marijuana possession today,” said former assistant state's attorney of Cook County Jim Gierach. “As a prosecutor, I’ve seen first hand that our marijuana laws aren’t working. This proposal shows that our leaders here in Chicago realize that focusing on this nonviolent crime is not only costing us tax precious dollars, it’s costing precious lives.”
In other Chicago news, via the Sun-Times (June 24):The proposal already had support from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, local police, and a majority of the 50 city council members before Gierach started his petition. But Gierach hopes the petition shows that there is public support for reforming drug laws....MORE
Chicago violence weekend toll: 4 dead, 29 wounded
I'm thinking pot is the least of Chicago's problems.
